‘People are jumping from the second-story windows’: One in custody after massive fire at Portland apartment

Published 9:08 am Friday, July 11, 2025

Early Friday morning, July 11, one person was detained and two others were taken to the hospital after a large apartment fire on East Burnside Street near Northeast 104th Avenue. (Submitted by Portland Fire & Rescue)

Early Friday morning, July 11, one person was detained and two others were taken to the hospital after a large apartment fire on East Burnside Street near Northeast 104th Avenue in the Hazelwood neighborhood.

Around 6:00 a.m. Portland Fire & Rescue reported a four-alarm fire at the apartment complex, according to a social media post from the department. Around 8:00 a.m., PF&R reported that its Fire Investigation Unit detained one person.

Dispatchers updated fire crews, saying, “I have a caller on the line saying fire at their door” with others saying, “people are jumping from the second-story windows,” and “I have a caller seeing and smelling smoke from below and hearing lots of shouting,” according to a news release.

The three-story building was heavily engulfed when firefighters responded to the scene. About 80 members from PF&R and the Gresham Fire Department were called on for the four-alarm fire.

Two people were rescued from the building and taken to the hospital for “elevated medical care.” There were 10 American Medical Response ambulances heading to the scene.

Officials said one of the victims had jumped from an “elevated position,” injuring their ankle with potential burns to their upper leg. The second victim was reported to have small contact single burns on their arm.

One family was trapped in their apartment, unaffected by the fire, before fire crews could help evacuate them, according to a news release.

There were a total of two injuries, eight people rescued and one cat and four dogs. Officials said at least 15 people will be displaced by the fire, with the possible addition of 16 others due to structural damage and unsafe access to their apartments.

Fire crews from surrounding regions, including Lake Oswego Fire, were redirected to ensure coverage was available for other parts of the city.